Pizza and climbing, but not at the Red
Pizza and climbing, but not at the Red
So I'm going to be living in Vicenza italy soon, and I was wondering if anyone out there might be familiar with the Italian climbing scene. All I really know about Italy is that the Italians drive around on scooters saying "ciao" all the time. But I hear the climbing's great. Also any must see touristy places, outside of Venice, Rome, milan, etc. I'm rather excited.
"Yeah, it sucks. But then, everything does."
The Dolomites! We hung in Val Gardena for a week and climbed a little around Passo Sella. That place had everything from bouldering, sport, to mulitpitch trad. Ice and backcountry skiing in the winter. I'd have to consult wih some guide books I picked up over there for exact detail. We found better info about the specific area we were in once we were there than I did on-line during trip planning. There is climbing scatered all over the boot from mountains to costal cliffs to inland cragging.
As far as touristy stuff. Venice rocks. Parma has wonderful food but it isn't much of a tourist/vacation getaway. The Chianti region is alright and Siena is a great little city within that region. Cortina, the Dolomites, Val Gardena....man those are some top notch places. Eat lots of proscuitto, parmigiano reggiano, and pasta. The pies overthere are great, thinner crusts...sorta like Miguel's!
As far as touristy stuff. Venice rocks. Parma has wonderful food but it isn't much of a tourist/vacation getaway. The Chianti region is alright and Siena is a great little city within that region. Cortina, the Dolomites, Val Gardena....man those are some top notch places. Eat lots of proscuitto, parmigiano reggiano, and pasta. The pies overthere are great, thinner crusts...sorta like Miguel's!
I see they are still lopping off mountains in Eastern Kentucky. Electricity isn't cheap.
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longlegsrule
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:21 pm
this is the only climber guy I know in Italy....send him a message on his page and maybe he can give you some pointers http://www.pbase.com/maxiclimb
From Kentucky ;o)
I had a great time in Turin/Torino last fall. It isn't much of a 'tourist destination', but that's part of what I really liked about it. I didn't have time to see it, but they have one of the best Egyptian collections in the world at the Museo Egizio ( http://www.museoegizio.it/ ) Plus, it's on the way to the Italian side of the Mont Blanc region of the Alps.
If you're going to be living there for a while, I'd suggest holding off on visiting some of the ultra-touristy areas (like Venice and Rome) until late in the fall - maybe November. I've been to Venice twice - once during March and once during August. It was so much better off-season! (Plus it's cheaper!)
While I love Italy, and I don't want to encourage you to do the typical American thing of running around on a new-city-each-day goose chase, you're going to be a reasonable train ride away from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and France! Get settled in Vicenza, but take some trips to other countries if you can. It's mind-blowing as an American how a four hour train ride can take you to a totally different place!
If you're going to be living there for a while, I'd suggest holding off on visiting some of the ultra-touristy areas (like Venice and Rome) until late in the fall - maybe November. I've been to Venice twice - once during March and once during August. It was so much better off-season! (Plus it's cheaper!)
While I love Italy, and I don't want to encourage you to do the typical American thing of running around on a new-city-each-day goose chase, you're going to be a reasonable train ride away from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and France! Get settled in Vicenza, but take some trips to other countries if you can. It's mind-blowing as an American how a four hour train ride can take you to a totally different place!
Bacon is meat candy.
I did the typical new-city-each-day goose chase, and loved it. Spent some time in Florence, Milan, Zurich, Venice, Rome, and the Vatican in just over a week.
Florence's city walls are like a never ending traverse -- just wait until the polizia pass by before climbing, they frown on that.
Florence's city walls are like a never ending traverse -- just wait until the polizia pass by before climbing, they frown on that.
Sarcasm is a tool the weak use to avoid confrontation. People with any balls just outright lie.
[quote="Meadows"]I try not to put it in my mouth now, but when I do, I hold it with just my lips.[/quote]
[quote="Meadows"]I try not to put it in my mouth now, but when I do, I hold it with just my lips.[/quote]
Just read about a food critic's trip to Tuscany.
And not for the wine, the chocolate! The best in the world and only $100/lb!!!
This is the chocolatier's homepage.
http://www.amedei.it/
And not for the wine, the chocolate! The best in the world and only $100/lb!!!
This is the chocolatier's homepage.
http://www.amedei.it/
I loved climbing in Finale Ligure, Italy. There are over 1500 routes in the area of all grades. Multi-pitch. Many of the climbs either are on the Mediterranean or view the Alps and Mediterranean. It is spectacular. There was a article on it a couple of years ago in Outside magazine which I am sure you can find. Or, you can email guide Lorenzo Cavanna of Blue Mountain Guides. He is famous in the area so you can just ask for him at the Rockstore and they will put you in touch. Hotel recommendation is www.puntaest.com
Ray and I spent two weeks there recently.
Must see:
Cinque Terre on the Mediterranean
Archaeological Museum in Naples (while en route to/from Pompeii)
Rent a car from Cinque Terre and drive to Sienna, passing through Pisa, Lucca, and a ton of other small towns and gorgeous countryside. Take the scenic roads. Driving in Italy is really no big deal. We were worried but it's easy.
I highly recommend Rick Steves' books.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. You're welcome to check out our Italy pictures with detailed descriptions: http://rayandmichelle.shutterfly.com/action
Must see:
Cinque Terre on the Mediterranean
Archaeological Museum in Naples (while en route to/from Pompeii)
Rent a car from Cinque Terre and drive to Sienna, passing through Pisa, Lucca, and a ton of other small towns and gorgeous countryside. Take the scenic roads. Driving in Italy is really no big deal. We were worried but it's easy.
I highly recommend Rick Steves' books.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. You're welcome to check out our Italy pictures with detailed descriptions: http://rayandmichelle.shutterfly.com/action
Does he have a strange bear claw like appendage protruding from his neck? He kep petting it.
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the lurkist
- Posts: 2240
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 2:07 pm
If you get a chance, the island of Sardenia (Sardegna) is so cool.
It would be a trip in itself (it was for us) but it is off the beatin track, it is provencial, it has its own unique culture apart from Italy, and it has some of the best sport climbing in Europe (we didn't do any, but I read it is that good). right on the beach and in the Mountains.
It would be a trip in itself (it was for us) but it is off the beatin track, it is provencial, it has its own unique culture apart from Italy, and it has some of the best sport climbing in Europe (we didn't do any, but I read it is that good). right on the beach and in the Mountains.
"It really is all good ! My thinking only occasionally calls it differently..."
Normie
Normie